“The Beer Diaries” Craft Beer Series Comes To Denver

For the craft beer enthusiast, simply drinking a great beer sometimes isn’t enough. Director Mike Mann and his crew at The Beer Diaries, have taken their love for craft beer to the next … Read More

GABF sells out in record time- Here’s how the BA can improve the process to bring access to more.

The Great American Beer Festival sold out this year in a record 23 minutes. If you were lucky enough to get tickets, then congratulations – you are holding a golden … Read More

Ultimate 6er | Beer + Beer = Mixed Beer!

Have you ever found yourself agonizing over choosing between two beers? In some cases, the best solution is do get both and mix them. Perhaps you have heard of a Black and Tan ( Stout & Pale Ale), a Snake Bite (Stout or Lager with Hard Cider), or a Black and Blue (Stout & Wheat (Blue Moon)).  Most people associate these mixed beer drinks with Guinness + ____ , but there are some other great mixed beer variations out there. I propose to you this ultimate mixed beer 6er! Read More

Homebrewing 101 – Your First Brew & Ingredients

This is part 2 of an ongoing series on homebrewing. For part one on equipment & pre-brewing prep, please go here.

Now that you have the right equipment, you need some ingredients for your first batch. If you are reading this article, you most likely know the four main ingredients in beer: Grains, Hops, Water, & Yeast. Quite simple, but within each of these categories there are a lot of options. While you might be intimidated by all of the selections, your first batch should be a simple one. I know you are probably excited to make the most amazing vanilla caramel mocha latte milk stout, complete with all sorts of fancy spices and ingredients, but that is not the way to start. You can’t be a five star chef without learning the ropes along the way, and the same can be said about being a brewer.

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Copper Kettle Brewery

Those of us who live in Colorado are lucky that we have such an amazing craft beer scene available to us. Most can find a local brewery within a few miles of them at any given time. At this particular moment, I am appreciating this fact as I’m in my company’s plane somewhere above Kansas on my way home to Denver, and craving an amazing craft beer. Copper Kettle Brewery, located at 1338 S. Valencia Street, in Denver near Parker and Mississippi, will be my first stop after I land. They opened with the intent to be the local “Cheers” brewery for those who live near them. Don’t let this fool you though, as they make some amazing beers and have won a few medals at GABF since their inception in 2011. Their most well-known beer is their Mexican Chocolate Stout, a spicy brew you will not forget. A gold medal winner at GABF in 2011 in the Herb and Spice Beer category, you will want to try this one when you visit.

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Samuel Smith – Organic Raspberry Ale

ABV 5.1%

Samuel Smith makes four varieties of fruit ale – cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and apricot. I have tried all but the cherry and each are very similar. My favorite of the three is the Raspberry Ale. I am a bit bias though, because I like most anything raspberry.  For those who enjoy organic foods, you are in luck because this one is organic. Read More

Homebrew 101 – Equipment and Prepping to Brew

Most people know how to cook. In fact a lot of people excel at this skill, but if asked if they could make a drink from scratch using raw ingredients, most would pass. Well never fear fellow beer lovers, beer is no harder to make at home than Ramen. With some basic equipment, patience, and curiosity, you can make some amazing beers at home. First up in the series: Equipment & Sanitation

In order to make beer, there are some items that are must haves, and quite a few items that are optional but will make life easier if you have them, most of which come in handy during fermentation and bottling. Once you have the basics down, you can then explore into some equipment for more advanced brewing, but we will cover those when we reach that part of the series.

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Rogue Ales – Double Chocolate Stout

Rogue has always been one of my favorite breweries. Most people know them for their Dead Guy Ale, which in all rights is an amazing beer. However, their Double Chocolate Stout has now become my favorite Rogue brew and perhaps one of my favorite stouts. While it is available on draft, I have yet to see it in Colorado. It is also available in a bomber – it is one you can’t miss being in a bright fire engine red bottle.Turns out I am not the only one who loves this beer as it won a gold medal at the 2010 world beer championships.

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